Gripens to fly at air shows despite crash

Gripens to fly at air shows despite crash

Royal Thai Air Force F-16s and other aircraft rehearsed over Don Mueang airport on Thursday for the annual Children's Day airshows. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Royal Thai Air Force F-16s and other aircraft rehearsed over Don Mueang airport on Thursday for the annual Children's Day airshows. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has confirmed that Gripen fighters will take part in air shows on Children's Day on Saturday, even though one of the jet fighters crashed at an event last year.

The decision was made after the air force concluded that pilot disorientation led to the crash at a Children's Day display in Songkhla province on Jan 14 last year.

The air force has decided aviation displays across the country will take place as usual, AM Nathpong Viriyakupt, deputy chief of the air staff said on Thursday.

He said that besides Gripens, F-16 Fighting Falcons, AU-23 jets, and EC725 helicopters will also take part in the air shows.

Several air shows are due to be held in Bangkok and other provinces on Children's Day, Saturday.

Air force spokesman AM Pongsak Semachai said the Gripen fighters are in good condition with all having been tho­roughly checked as part of an investigation into last year's crash.

The investigation involved experts from the RTAF, the Swedish Defence Material Administration and SAAB, the plane's manufacturer.

It took into account all evidence, including the performance of the aircraft and the health of the pilot, the spokesman said.

"The probe found there was nothing wrong with the fighter and the pilot had been well trained. Regarding the incident, it was concluded spatial disorientation was the cause," said AM Pongsak.

Spatial disorientation refers to the inability of a pilot to correctly interpret aircraft attitude, altitude or airspeed in relation to the earth or other points of reference.

"It is force majeure and can happen to well-trained pilots," he said.

One of the most common causes of air crashes, disorientation can be caused by many factors, including weather conditions, speed, acceleration and swift changes of aircraft orientation, according to the air force spokesman.

Flashback: Sqn Ldr Dilokrit Pattavee, 34, of the Surat Thani-based Wing 7, was killed when the Swedish-made Gripen JAS 39C crashed and exploded in front of watching children and parents.

The Gripen was one of nine air force jet fighters taking part in a Children's Day display at Wing 56 in Songkhla province's Hat Yai district.

The air force has warned the public not to bring certain items, particularly balloons and drones, to events Saturday.

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